A solar energy scheme described as ‘mind blowing’ in size has been given the go-ahead despite concerns about its impact on several North Yorkshire villages.
The Helios Renewable Energy project would see thousands of solar panels installed on 758 hectares (1,873 acres) of farmland between the villages Camblesforth and Hirst Courtney south of Selby.
That’s an area the size of 900 football pitches.
The energy farm would generate more than 50 megawatts of electricity and be connected directly to Drax Power Station.
Hundreds of people objected to the project, which was first proposed by Enso Energy some years ago.
Today, the HALT opposition group said the decision to go-ahead with the battery farm had led to “despondency, extreme sadness and fear for their future”. You can read their full response below.
In 2022, the leader of the then Selby District Council, Mark Crane, described the scale of the project as “mind blowing“.
Fellow councillor Mike Jordan said the Helios scheme, along with several similar solar energy schemes in the area, would have a “dramatic impact” on nearby villages.
Many are concerned about the impact on traffic in the area. During the 12-month construction, the anticipated average number of HGV deliveries would be 36 per day, Enso Energy says. At its peak, 52 HGV movements are expected.
Many pointed out the scheme would also lead to a loss of prime farming land.
The application was submitted to the Planning Inspectorate for consideration last year.
Today, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero granted development consent for the Helios Project.
A letter from head of energy infrastructure planning David Wagstaff, on behalf of the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, said the need for green power outweighs the harms of the development.
That’s despite accepting the loss of good farming land, which he assigned “significant negative weight” in the planning balance.
“The Secretary of State concludes that the benefits of the proposed development, namely the substantial positive weight ascribed to its need and the moderate positive weight ascribed to the matter of biodiversity and ecology, outweigh the totality of its adverse impacts,” the letter says.
‘Peace sacrificed for net zero’
The HALT Selby Area Solar Farm & Battery Storage was set up to oppose the Helios project.
In a statement today, a HALT spokesperson said: “Whilst still digesting the contents of almost 500 pages within the decision documents, the initial reaction from the HALT members is huge disappointment, frustration, despondency, extreme sadness and fear for their future.
“Many believe it to have been a foregone conclusion, given that their responses were sought but in most cases blatantly ignored or dismissed, or met with unsubstantiated assurances that they would be addressed satisfactorily but with no guarantees.
“Pure lip service has been paid to public consultation.
“It appears that the ideological politically imposed target to achieve net zero by 2030 has completely overridden any serious and genuine concerns re the industrialisation of this rural area and its impact on the health and safety of nearby residents (already overburdened with renewable infrastructure), or the loss of prime agricultural land and its abundant ecology.
“Many residents have expressed dismay that, having lived here all their lives or having moved to this area years ago to get away from urban life, they now find themselves to be soon living amidst an industrial landscape.
“Our physical and mental health and safety, nature, beautiful walks, views, wildlife, peace and contentment, all sacrificed on the altar of net zero.”
